title: Lipoprotein-associated and secretory phospholipase A2 in cardiovascular disease: the epidemiological evidence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Among other lipid related biomarkers, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2)) and type II secretory phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2)) represent emerging candidates for refined assessment of future cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Indeed, emerging evidence from more than prospective 15 studies conducted since 2000, clearly demonstrate the prognostic ability of increased Lp-PLA(2) concentrations or elevated activity for risk of future coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. Moreover, Lp-PLA(2) might have similar predictive power for both, incident CHD in initially healthy subjects, as well as for recurrent events in those with clinically manifest atherosclerosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By contrast, to date, there are only few prospective studies that have investigated the relationship of sPLA(2) with future CVD risk. However, most of them show a positive association between increased mass or elevated activity and future atherosclerotic complications. Nonetheless, since inhibitors of Lp-PLA(2) and sPLA(2) have already been developed, these enzymes may be considered as novel therapeutic targets to treat residual risk in certain high risk patient groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This review summarizes the epidemiologic evidence on the association between increased mass or elevated activity of these two phospholipases and risk of CVD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine II-Cardiology, University of Ulm Medical Center, Albert-Einstein Allee, 23, 89081, Ulm, Germany. wolfgang.koenig@uniklinik-ulm.de
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Koenig
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Khuseyinova
mesh_terms: D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D054497:Phospholipases A2, Secretory / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D054497:Phospholipases A2, Secretory; D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase